Jose Felix Jr. escapes with win over Ricky Sismundo on Saturday

Burbank (Jan. 30, 2016) – Former world title challenger, Jose Felix Jr., 33-1-1 (25), was pushed to the limit by the high pressure from bulldog-like Filipino Ricky Sismundo, 30-9-2 (13), going through hell to get his hand raised in a split decision win on the Top Rank Promotions/Bash Boxing main event at the Marriott Convention Center on Saturday night. The fight was part of a card televised on UniMas’ “Solo Boxeo.”

Photo credit: German Villasenor

Sismundo has only one gear: forward, pressuring and cutting the ring off at every turn against Felix, who used his boxing skills and countered effectively in the first half of the fight, his jabs and combinations keeping his foe at bay.

Photo credit: German Villasenor

By mid-fight, Sismundo, Yokohama, Japan closed the gap and was landing more frequently, making every move a dangerous one for the taller Mexican, who was forced more into retreat mode than by design.

Photo credit: German Villasenor

Sismundo would lose a point, a costly one, at the end of the sixth round for landing a shot after the bell.

Photo credit: German Villasenor

Felix would be pushed against the ropes often, yet landing left hooks while pivoting side-to side. However, Sismundo would land in spots and was never bothered by any punches Felix landed.

Photo credit: German Villasenor

With the fight in the balance, both men traded furiously in the 10th, as the fight went to the scorecards.

Photo credit: German Villasenor

Official ringside judges Jonathan Davis and Daniel Sandoval scored the bout 95-94 and 96-93, respectively, and Max Deluca had it for Sismundo, 95-94, a split decision for Felix, who kept his hopes alive of a coveted showdown against Puerto Rican superstar Felix Verdejo in the near future.

Junior welterweight Arnold Barboza, 10-0 (4), tore through the usually durable Robbie Cannon, 15-12-2 (7), in the first round, putting on a power-punching display. Barboza beat Cannon to a pulp with referee Eddie Hernandez halting the slaughter at 2:59 of the round.

Popular junior middleweight Danny “El Chapulin” Valdivia remained undefeated at 10-0 (8), as he stopped Kenneth Council, 10-2-1 (8), at 2:30 of the first round, as referee Eddie Hernandez mercifully stepped in to halt what became a vigorous beatdown.